Author | L. | |
Distribution | Throughout the Coastal Plain, Sandhills, and lower Piedmont, scattered westward and with a concentration in the southern low Mountains. Recently spreading westward into the central and upper Piedmont (documented by numerous photos on iNaturalist).
Southeastern NY to IA, south to FL and TX. | |
Abundance | Common to locally abundant in the Coastal Plain and Sandhills; common in the eastern Piedmont, but uncommon in the central and western Piedmont. Fairly common in the southern Mountains but absent in the central and northern Mountains. | |
Habitat | Moist to wet meadows, marshes, savannas, margins of beaver ponds, roadside ditches, damp powerlines. | |
Phenology | Flowering and fruiting late August-October. | |
Identification | Plants grow 3-6 feet tall, with numerous, slender (1/3-inch wide and 5-7 inches long), scabrous (rough to touch), opposite, dark green leaves (often with revolute margins -- making them look even narrower). The inflorescence is broad and multi-branched; the numerous heads are about 1.5-2 inches across, with bright yellow rays and brown-purple disks. The slender leaves are not likely to be confused with other sunflowers. This is a very striking plant when in bloom. | |
Taxonomic Comments | None
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Other Common Name(s) | Swamp Sunflower | |
State Rank | S5 | |
Global Rank | G5 | |
State Status | | |
US Status | | |
USACE-agcp | FACW link |
USACE-emp | FACW link |